Level device



-C. F. THULLEN.

LEVEL DEVICE- APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1920- I Patented Oct. H, 1921..

cnnrsrornnn r. rnninmn, or cnrcaeo, ILLINOIS, assrsnon 'ro FRED orrnn, CHRIS-.

'rorrrnn r. THUL EN, nn AUGUST A. r. DRE-YER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,. C0-' rlia'rnnns nonverusrnnss as ON-TI-IE-IJOYlf-LEVEL nnvrcn.

I LEVEL DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 11, 1921.

Application filed March 25, 1921}. Serial No. 368,6?9,

To all whom it may concern: 'l Be it known that I, CHRISTOPHER F.

THULLEN, a citizen ofthe United States,

and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Level Devices; and I do hereby declare that the followin is a full, clear, and exact descrip' tion t ereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

:This invention relates to improvements inlevel devices and consistsiof the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

The object of the invention is to improve the construction of the level device shown in my prior Patent No. 1,281,096, dated October 8,,1918,so that the same may be made much stronger and lighter in' weight, and at a greatly reduced price, and at the same time be more "attractive in appearanc-eand easier for assembling. 1

This object of the invention, as well as the several advantages thereof, will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a board or strip, with the improved level device applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, transverse section throu h Fig. 1 on the line 2-2 thereof, and shows the level device in end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view of a convenient form of wrench for applying and adjusting the level devlce.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanyingdrawingao indicates a board or strip having one of its edges 6, substantially straight. This board may be of the desired length and is such as may be found when carpenter work or other-work requir ing the use of a device of this kind is carried on.

The numeral 7 indicates (see Fig. 1) as a whole, the level device itself. It comprises a suitable frame made of metal, consisting of two substantially long, parallel bars 88 and two transversely extending parallel shorter bars 9--9 arranged at right angles to and connecting said longer bars 88 atpoints spaced lnwardly from the ends thereof. As shown, the bar 9 is spaced nwardly from the corresponding overhang ing ends 10 of the bars 8-8 a short distance,while the bar 9 is spaced a greater distance from the corresponding overhangin r ends 11 of said bars 88 of the frame.

lln the inner surfaces of the transverse bars'9----9 in the longitudinal median line of the frame, are provided oppositely facing bosses 12, in which the ends of a spirit tube 13 are anchored. The boss 12 of the bar 9 has a recess 14* to-receiveone end of said spirit tube, while the boss 12 on the bar 9 has a hole 14: through which the spirit tube is entered into place in the frame as a whole, a suitable cement in said recess and hole, anchoring said spirit tube."

The overhanging long ends 1l-1l of the bars 8-98 just outside of the cross bar 9,

are also provided with oppositely facin bosses 15-15, in which the ends of a secon sp rit tube 16 is anchored, said spirit tube belng arranged at a right angle to the spirit tube 13. The boss 15 of the bar 8* has a recess 17 to receive one end of said spirit tube, while the boss 15 of the bar 8, has an opening 17 through which said spirit tube is entered into place inthe frame as a whole, a suitable cement in said hole and recess anchoring said. spirit tube. A rigid post 18, made integral with the frame as a whole, connects the outer ends 11-11 together.

The ends 10 and 11 of the long bars 8-8"- have alined screw threaded openings, into which are threaded short screws or bolts 19. Each bolt has a head 20, provided with a conical point 21. These bolts serve to adjust the level device to the straight edge 6 of the board 5 and also to attach said device in place in the opening therein in the following manner: Having selected a board 5, suitable for the purpose and having one edge 6 thereof substantially straight, an elongated opening 22 is cut in said board between its edges. A board of a thickness somewhat greater than that of the device is preferred, such as shownin Fig. 2. The opening 22 need have no particular regularity, but two of its edges 23-23 which are arranged longitudinal of the board, are made approximately parallel with each other and to the straight edge 6 of the board. No great care need be exeroised, however, to make said edges 23--23 exactly parallel. 1

The bolts 19 are then ad usted by means of a small wrench 24, such as shown in Fig. 3, to permit the level device as a whole to be laid flatwise of the board in the opening 22. The device is then brought substantially into the median longitudinal plane of the opening 22 and the bolt 19 threaded outwardly so as to make the conical points 21 of all the bolts bite into and engage the edges 23 of the opening 22. This attaches the device to the board. The post 18, connecting the ends of the overhangin ends l1-ll prevents flexing or bending or these long overhanging ends, due to the pressure exerted upon them by the screws 19 in placing the device Within the opening 22 and adjusting it to the straight edge 6.

It is now necessary to adjust the level de vice with reference to the straight edge of the board. This is done by screr-ring one of the bolts 19 in one direction and another in a reverse direction until the bubbles in the spirit tubes are brought to their proper level indicating position. The level as a whole is now readyfor its intended purpose. By loosening the bolts 19 with the wrench, the device may be removed from the opening in the board.

It will be noted that the post 18, not only rigidly braces the overhanging ends 11-11 against bending under pressure imparted to them by the associated bolts when placing and adjusting the device with reference to a board, but also acts as a protection or guard, for the spirit tube 16 against being accidentally struck and broken. The frame is of such conformation that it may be made by the die casting method, which does away with the necessity of a machine finish.

The device as a whole is neat and attractive in appearance and may be easily carried in the pocket of the mechanic using it, without danger of breaking the spirit tubes, and the wrench is of such size and form that it may be attached to the key ring which is usually carried by any mechanic.

The many advantages of the improved level device will be apparent to those familiar with the art.

I claim as my invcntion:

A level device of the kind described, comprising an integral frame consisting of a pair of parallel long bars, and a pair of parallel shorter bars arranged transversely of: and connecting said long bars together at points intermediate their ends, and a post connecting the pair of long bars together at one end of the frame, each pair of bars be ing provided with opposed seats to receive a. spirit tube, one of said seats of each pair of bars communicating with an opening in the bar having such seat for the insertion of a spirit tube in the seats, said post providing a protective guard, for the spirit tube which extends parallel therewith.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 14th day of February, A. 1)., 1920.

CHRISTOPHER F. THULLEN. lVitnesses EDITH A. BREEZE,

FRED OHDE. 

